Gary L. Vermeire

Gary L. Vermeire has been a leader in the education and human services professions for over thirty-two years, addressing comprehensive school and community prevention and intervention programs and services for various at-risk behaviors. His extensive experience as a service provider, trainer, administrator and consultant on the national, state and local levels has revolved around the development and implementation of systems-oriented approaches that empower people and institutions to build assets and solve human problems.

Mr. Vermeire has been recognized for his service on numerous occasions, including receipt of two Pennsylvania Governor's awards: one for outstanding community education and the other for leadership in the area of youth alcohol traffic safety; receipt of an Outstanding Young Men of America Award from the United States Jaycees; acknowledgments in the National Reference Institute's, Who's Who Among Human Service Professionals; and receipt of two Outstanding Service Appreciation Awards from the Association of Student Assistance Professionals of New Jersey.

He is an author and contributor to various national, state and local publications. For example, the National Institute on Drug Abuse has selected his Since You Care! training program as a model for national diffusion. He has developed numerous program models for statewide dissemination by the New Jersey Department of Education, including the Resource Manual for Intervention and Referral Services, the Intervention and Referral Services Program for General Education Pupils: A Four-Part Videotape Series and Videotape Companion Guide, and A Guide for the Development of a District-wide School Safety Plan.

Mr. Vermeire has served as an officer, leader and member of state and local boards, task forces and advisory bodies, including the New Jersey Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, for which he chaired the Interdeparmental Advisory Panel, and the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Prevention Alliance, for which he was vice-president, as well as being an adjunct faculty member to various colleges and universities. Gary has been employed in a variety of capacities for approximately 17 years with the New Jersey Department of Education, working in the areas of student support services, intervention and referral services, health education and comprehensive prevention and intervention programs and services for students at-risk issues and concerns. He is currently the program coordinator of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Unit for the New Jersey Department of Education.

In addition to his education and prevention work, Mr. Vermeire is a musician/vocalist, a composer and an avid reader of fantasy-genre novels, each of which provides insight and inspiration for practicing the art of possibilities.